Lied to her mother

It took several attempts to reach her, but eventually, Angelica got through to her mother, while Charlie resumed enjoying his drink while playing with his phone.

"Mom, it's me," Angelica said with a smile.

"Oh, my love..." Emma replied from the phone, her voice sounding so frail.

Immediately, Angelica furrowed her brow. "Mom, are you okay?"

"Yes, mommy is fine..."

"But your voice sounds very weak and tired..."

"It's because mommy is still sleepy, it's only three a.m. now," Emma explained. "You must have forgotten, we're in different time zones now," she continued.

Angelica sighed deeply. "Sorry Mom, I forgot."

"It's Okay... how's your job there? Is your work as a maid very demanding?" Emma wondered.

Angelica smiled thinly, realizing that in reality, she wasn't a maid, but rather having fun with Charlie. However, the smile faded when she remembered her mother's disapproval of men playing with her or taking advantage. Her mother might be angry if she knew Charlie had invited her there for fun without clarifying their relationship status.

"Angel..." Emma's gentle voice redirected Angelica's attention.

"Uh, yeah... mom. My job here isn't too demanding, especially since Charlie's mansion isn't very large and he already has another maid," Angelica said half-heartedly, then glanced at Charlie who immediately chuckled, as if mocking her. "Charlie is also very kind to me," she added while turning her face away.

"Oh, that's good, dear... but don't let his kindness fly you away... You're an adult girl, and he's a man who seems so perfect. I don't want you to end up like me..."

Her mother's words hit Angelica like a slap, as now she was swept up in Charlie's charm, even allowing him to enjoy her body and engage in a relationship without a clear status.

'Oh God, my mother would curse me if she knew what I'm doing with Charlie,' she thought with anxiety.

"Yesterday a man came... he said he was Charlie's emissary and would always watch over me. But I couldn't accept him... Charlie has already helped us enough... I don't want you burdened by any debts you can't refuse from Charlie," Emma spoke again as if knowing what a man typically asks when dealing with a perfect girl like Angelica.

"Mom, don't think like that. Besides, I'll repay his kindness by working here... he's not as bad as you think," Angelica replied anxiously.

"I'm just reminding you. It's nice if he's good, but you still have to protect yourself and your honor... don't melt just because of the big things he's given you... I think the experience I've had is enough to make you learn to be careful with wealthy men like him."

"Okay..." Angelica sighed in resignation, leaning back on the chair. "Don't worry..."

"I'm trying... you know, you're my diamond..."

Angelica smiled faintly, instantly saddened by her mother's face.

"Anyway, did you get a new phone, or did you borrow it from a friend?"

"Uh, no. I mean..." Angelica became confused, afraid her mother might have a negative opinion about Charlie's kindness. "I... I borrowed money from Kate. I felt unconscious about getting a new phone because I wanted to be able to call you whenever I wanted, and besides, I don't want to keep borrowing Charlie's or the other maids' phones here," she finally lied, making Charlie furrow his brow immediately.

"You shouldn't have to do that, dear. Now you owe Kate..."

"It's okay, Mom... I'll pay her back after I get my first salary," Angelica said, then bit her lower lip, feeling so nervous because of her lie. "Uh... Mom, you should go back to sleep. It's morning now, I have to help the other maid prepare breakfast," she continued.

"Alright, take care of yourself. I love you..."

"I love you more..."

Angelica ended the call and sighed, silent with anxious feelings while looking at Charlie, wondering what she should do now.

"What's wrong?" Charlie asked.

"Well... my mother doesn't want me or her to accept much help from you anymore," she said anxiously, feeling unworthy of saying this because Charlie had been kind to her. "Forgive me, but maybe she has trust issues... she doesn't allow your servants to help her... then... she doesn't want me to receive too much help from you, or I'll feel indebted and... and do whatever you want..."

Charlie fell silent, not expecting Emma to say that.

"She speaks as if she has a feeling of what's happening here," Angelica whispered tearfully. "I feel guilty... I lied to her, and I'm sure she'll be angry when she finds out I'm not working, but just..."

Charlie sighed. "The strong bond between a mother and child... she has a strong instinct about you," he said anxiously.

"I don't know..."

"Don't worry..." Charlie took Angelica's hand and looked at her intently. "I'll do something..."

"No..." Angelica shook her head. "Don't do anything for me or my mom... Don't make it seem like you have a role in my family because we don't have a clear relationship, maybe my mom won't accept the kind of relationship you mean with me."

"What?" Charlie furrowed his brow.

"You said you never wanted to get married, never wanted to have a relationship with anyone, including me... you don't want labels for our relationship. Maybe if my mom finds out, she'll just think you're playing with me like my dad played with her... he never married her but had a child with her... and that child is me. My mom doesn't want that to happen to me... and if she knows about what's happening between us and knows your principles..." Angelica explained anxiously and fell silent for a moment, imagining the worst possibilities. "Maybe she'll force me to go back to Hawaii... away from you..."

"No..." Charlie shook his head, then held Angelica's hand, his heart pounding instantly from fear. "That won't happen!" he insisted.

Angelica saw fear in Charlie's eyes. 'And everything would be fine if you were willing to give our relationship some clarity. But maybe it's too soon for you... maybe I don't mean that much to you yet... or maybe you're just caught up in the romance and don't want to lose me... but when I demand a real relationship from you... I want to know if you'll get bored and turn away, or maybe you'll fight against your principles so I won't leave you someday... I'll demand clarity in our relationship.' She reasoned with herself in her heart.

"I'll contact someone..." Charlie released Angelica's hand and picked up his phone.

Angelica just quietly let Charlie make the call.

"Hello, Don... Where are you now?" Charlie asked when he connected with someone named Don.

"I'm still in Hawaii... as per your request, I've been keeping an eye on Mrs. Emma," a man named Don replied over the phone.

"You shouldn't have to come and tell her that I asked you to watch over her!" Charlie exclaimed irritably. "Can't you keep an eye on her from a distance? Make sure she's okay and gets what she needs!"

"Sir, I did that... But yesterday the situation forced me to meet her..."

Charlie furrowed his brow occasionally, glancing at Angelica, who was watching him intently. "What happened?"

"Darren came with his thugs and caused a mess at the Bar. He almost killed Robert... I arrived after they had already taken the money you gave to Robert... they left with the money, and then I met Mrs. Emma, who was terrified. I assured her not to be afraid anymore because I would protect her and not let Darren come near again," Don explained in great detail.

Charlie fell silent, clenching his jaw, balling his fists, and feeling furious at Darren, who still sought trouble with Angelica's family.

"Okay... you keep monitoring them from a distance and let me know if Darren causes trouble again. Record it or do whatever you can to get him locked up!" he declared firmly.

"Alright, Sir..."

"And never reveal yourself to Mrs. Emma or Robert... it would let them know that I'm behind all this," Charlie cautioned again.

"Yes, Sir..."

Charlie disconnected the call, and then let out a heavy sigh.

"So, Darren is still causing trouble?" Angelica confirmed.

Charlie nodded.

"Oh God..." Angelica covered her mouth with her trembling hand, fearful, imagining how her mother must be facing Darren's cruelty. "How could this happen? I'm here having fun while my mother... my mother is scared!" Her eyes welled up with tears, her emotions a mix of guilt and frustration.

"Don't worry..."

"I can't not worry!" Angelica said with frustration. "She's ill, with an uncle who sometimes doesn't care about her, and then Darren terrifies her..."

"You can go back if you want," Charlie said reluctantly because deep down he still enjoyed the moments he spent with Angelica, but he also didn't want to leave her sad here. "I'll have my people escort you to the airport... I won't come along so your mother won't think I care too much about you and..."

"It's not possible!" Angelica shook her head. "She already thinks I work here. If you give me the freedom to go back... then she'll think you're being too kind to us, and she'll caution me to be careful around you... and... even avoid you..."

Charlie swallowed hard, looking at Angelica with slight bewilderment at this situation.

Angelica wiped her tears and turned her face, looking at the scenery, but in her mind, all she could think about was her mother. It was true that she missed her and worried about her, but she also felt like she couldn't just leave Charlie.

Charlie stood up and positioned himself in front of Angelica, brushing aside the hair covering her forehead.

"Don't be sad anymore... I've asked Don to keep an eye on your mother and he'll throw Darren in jail if he dares to harm her or your uncle... of course, they won't know it's part of my assistance," he said.

Angelica nodded because, to her, that was indeed the best course of action.

"After one month here, I'll let you go back there just visiting her for a few days, Then you can come back here to pretend to work... because I won't let you work hard," Charlie added.

Angelica fell silent, gazing at Charlie with admiration and a mix of joy and sadness. He was like an angel without wings to her, helping her when she was truly lost and powerless. She stood up and hugged him, tears streaming down her face.

"It's Okay... everything will be alright," Charlie whispered as he gently rubbed Angelica's back.

Angelica remained silent, feeling comforted in Charlie's embrace. She felt like she was finally getting what she needed all along, and in that moment, there was a fear of losing him or being left behind, as their relationship remained shrouded in secrecy.